Ellerslie Show: Embracing nature in a redeveloped Christchurch
Landcare Research at Ellerslie International Flower Show.
Christchurch residents' desire for a greener central city inspired Landcare Research to design an Ellerslie International Flower Show exhibit that showcases some of the possibilities. Prior to human settlement, Christchurch had a wealth of native plants and wildlife. We now have the opportunity to restore some of what has been lost; intergrating people, nature and functionality in the redevelopement of Christchurch.
Entitled 'Transitions', the Landcare Research exhibit will feature a shop frontage, with green roof and living wall, looking out onto a pocket park, an attractive way of bringing nature into the confined spaces of a central city. A green roof reduces stormwater run-off, provides energy savings through the insulating effect of the growing medium and plants, is unaffected by UV, provides a habitat and food for insects, lizards, plants and birds, moderates the urban heat island effect, and muffles noise within the building.